Human Resource (HR) Associate

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization is dedicated to eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving equality between women and men. UN Women operates globally, with a significant presence in the Americas and Caribbean Region, where it has a Regional Office in Panama City, 10 Country Offices, and a Multi-Country Office in Barbados covering 22 islands and territories. The organization collaborates with governments, civil society, and the UN system to support gender equality initiatives in countries where it does not have a direct presence.

Job Overview:
The Human Resource (HR) Associate position at UN Women is a vital role that involves providing administrative and logistical support related to recruitment, placement, benefits administration, and personnel separation. The HR Associate will work under the supervision of the Regional HR Business Partner and closely with the HR Team to ensure compliance with UN Women’s HR policies and guidelines. The role requires a proactive approach to managing HR processes, ensuring that all administrative needs are met efficiently and effectively. The HR Associate will be responsible for maintaining HR data, facilitating recruitment processes, and supporting staff performance management and development initiatives. This position is crucial for fostering a supportive and compliant HR environment within the Regional Office and the broader region.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Administer and implement HR strategies and policies in compliance with UN Women rules and regulations, providing guidance to management and staff on HR matters.
• Provide HR administrative and logistical services, including processing correspondence, maintaining records, and managing leave and payroll.
• Facilitate recruitment processes by drafting job descriptions, screening candidates, and preparing documentation for recruitment boards.
• Support staff performance management and learning development by monitoring compliance with performance appraisals and facilitating learning plans.
• Maintain HR data and generate reports, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with UN Women policies.
• Organize training and workshops for staff, sharing best practices in HR administration.
• Perform other duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the office.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong knowledge of HR administration, processes, and policies. They should demonstrate the ability to execute administrative processes with high attention to detail and handle confidential information with tact. Additionally, candidates should have the capability to support HR initiatives and administer various contractual modalities, along with good quantitative skills for report generation.

Educational Background:
Completion of secondary education is required, while a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or Public Administration is considered an asset. This educational background provides a foundational understanding of HR principles and practices necessary for the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 6 years of relevant experience in office administration and/or human resource management. Experience with computer software packages, particularly MS Word and Excel, is required, along with familiarity with web-based management systems. Working experience within the UN System, embassies, or NGOs is desirable, as is experience with modern web-based ERP systems such as Oracle Cloud, Atlas, or Quantum.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Spanish is mandatory for this position. Additionally, a working knowledge of French and/or Portuguese is desirable, as well as knowledge of another official UN language, which would further enhance communication capabilities within the organization.

Additional Notes:
The position is open to Panamanian citizens or foreigners with permanent legal residence or a valid work permit in Panama. The application process requires candidates to complete all sections of the application form thoroughly, as incomplete applications may be disqualified. UN Women emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices and has a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history.